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NPR podcast will investigate minister's murder in Selma
NPR will debut a new podcast, White Lies, at the end of this month. The series follows two journalists as they look into the murder of Unitarian Universalist minister the Rev. James Reeb during the Selma to Montgomery march. (Vulture, 4.2.19)
Related: Witness to Reeb's death looks back (UU World, May/June 2001)
Iowa congregation’s new building makes its own energy
The Unitarian Universalist Society of Coralville, Iowa, has built a new building that generates all the energy it uses on-site. The building replaces an older, multi-level structure, and was designed for accessibility and inclusion. Its architects explained that their design emphasizes beauty as well as function: “The Unitarian Universalist Society facility harmonizes with its natural landscape to provide reflective spaces for worship, fellowship, religious education and administration.” (Inhabitat, 4.5.19)
See also: Sustainable elegance in Iowa (UU World, Spring 2019)
New York county struggles with rising income inequality
The Rev. Joseph Cleveland, minister at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs, New York, joined a conversation about rising income inequality in his county, noting that he frequently gets calls asking for assistance. “If I haven’t gotten a call in four or five weeks that means I’m going to get a call that week on rent,” Cleveland said. “If it’s not that, it's transportation issues. Since you can’t afford to live in the town, you have to depend on a car. And if your car breaks down, you don’t have the means to repair it or buy another one.” (Times Union, 4.7.19)
Chicago mayor-elect’s win attributed to outreach
In an article about the election of Lori Lightfoot as Chicago’s first black female and first openly gay mayor, local UU Finley Campbell commented: “It is historic because a black, openly gay sister is out there. What’s also historic for me is she reached out very successfully to the white ethnic community, where you have traditional Polish, German, Irish-type people. There’s also a connection to the firefighters and police department, and working-class people.” (AP News, 4.3.19)